If you prefer to fish with a current, thereís also the Pine River and Weminuche Creek. Check in with the Forest Service before snowshoeing. San Juan National Forest is divided into three wilderness areas and lies in 10 counties. There are 16 discernible switchbacks before you meander through to the end of the trees. Durango, Bayfield, and Dolores are the nearest major towns. (970) 882-7296, Pagosa Ranger District There are many picturesque lakes across the San Juan Public Lands with excellent fishing opportunities. Worth the hike but it is demanding for sure! Contact the local ranger district office for recommendations on which area is best for you. The forest occupies land in Archuleta, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, San Miguel and San Juan Counties. It borders the Uncompahgre National Forest to the north and the Rio Grande National Forest to the east. Columbine Ranger District 367 Pearl Street P.O. Second half is a gentle walk. Box 439 Bayfield, CO 81122 (970) 884-2512. (970) 884-2512, Dolores Ranger District Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Molas Lake to Animas River via Molas Trail. The proposed project area is west of Pagosa Springs and west of Pagosa Lakes in Archuleta County. The highlights of San Juan National Forest include Chimney Rock National Monument. Ice Lake, about 6 miles west of Silverton in the heart of the San Juan Range, is one of the most beautiful spots in Colorado and a gem for hikers. Bayfield, CO 81122 Please be sure to come prepared and to check the weather forecast ahead of time for this trail. The Ice Fire is about … California Pass San Juan Mountains - Duration: 5:57. Within its boundaries are snow-covered peaks reaching more than 14,000 feet into the sky, wildflower-lined river bottoms at 5,000 feet and just about every conceivable western … The trail wastes no time gaining elevation, climbing 1,600-ft. in 2-miles through forests and wildflower-filled meadows to the beautiful Lower Ice Lakes basin. Watch over the next few weeks for separate articles on some of the area’s more popular trails with descriptions and photos. Dolores Ranger District 29211 Highway 184 Dolores, CO 81323 (970) 882-7296. This trail starts near the bottom of Coal Bank Pass on the Durango side. First 2 miles are tough but once you get up to the saddle it's much easier. Miles of beautiful scenic trails with close-up views of towering mountain peaks and crystal clear lakes, along with peaceful solitude, reward those backpacking on the San Juan National Forest. The parking lot is at N 37 48.394, W … The explosive display captivates many viewers during this short summer spectacle. Date of experience: December 2020. You’ll get the chance to catch numerous species of trout, as well as a variety of other fish as well. San Juan National Forest moderate (164) Length: 4.9 mi • Est. Mining … Once you top out of the trees, the trail continues on a steep incline until you get to the saddle. Box 310 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 (970) 264-2268. You can catch the Continental Divide trail from above the lakes, consider a day hike up and back or an overnight, but don't camp on the lake, instead camp a bit away from the edges of the lakes for minimal impact. Ice Lakes Trail: Hidden Gem in San Juan National Forest - See 85 traveler reviews, 130 candid photos, and great deals for Silverton, CO, at Tripadvisor. Endless Adventures 62 views. It borders the Uncompahgre National Forest to the north and the Rio Grande National Forest to the east. See the San Juan National Forest site for more information on current closures. The open meadows are filled with wildflowers in the late summer, providing beautiful views and excellent opportunities for photography. 2011-365-175 Gateway (5867687182).jpg 4 752 × 3 168 ; 4,29 Mio. Lake and Pond Fishing Areas : You are free: to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work; to remix – to adapt the work; Under the following conditions: attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. (John Meyer, The Denver Post) 29211 Highway 184 Visit the CPW website for more information. Proposed treatments include fuels reduction and vegetation management activities such as thinning, mowing, mastication, and tree harvests. The 1.8-million-acre San Juan National Forest encompasses much of this range. Men hiking, Twin Lakes Basin, Weminuche Wilderness, Needle Range, San Juan National Forest, Colorado, Mount Eolus in background, MR - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at Adobe Stock Sales: 800-685-3602 Always navigate with a U.S. National Forest Service Map and U.S.G.S. Williams Reservoir State Wildlife Area (SWA), Andrews Lake SWA, Haviland Lake SWA and Joe Moore Reservoir SWA are located on the San Juan National Forest, but are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The Best Alpine Lakes in Colorado - Duration: 6:39. Steele Burrow/Aurora Photos Aerial view of the San Juan National Forest San Juan National Forest, Colorado. Williams Reservoir State Wildlife Area (SWA), Andrews Lake SWA, Haviland Lake SWA and Joe Moore Reservoir SWA are located on the San Juan National Forest, but are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Rich history and jaw-dropping nature combine in the San Juan National Forest at nearly every turn. Ryks Video 148,133 views. Box 439 Wilderness Areas: San Juan National Forest encompasses 4 Wilderness areas which make the perfect backpacking experience. Lakes in San Juan National Forest‎ (2 C, 2 F) Lizard Head Pass‎ (3 F) M Maps of San Juan National Forest‎ (2 F) Média dans la catégorie « San Juan National Forest » Cette catégorie comprend 19 fichiers, dont les 19 ci-dessous. Box 310 Visit the CPW website for more information. Share. Hiking Trails on the San Juan National Forest by Norm Vance. Home to the San Juan National Forest and the Uncompahgre National Forest, the abundance of public lands helps to ensure that this trend will continue. Pagosa Springs, CO  81147 Island Lake surely got its name from the flat-topped rock that is visible whenever water levels ebb. And that’s about where the similarities end, because we guarantee you won’t be shoulder to shoulder with other visitors. After a brief descent, it continues to climb north until it ends at the Colorado Trail to the west of Molas Pass. SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) – Firefighters rushed to a new wildfire — this one burning in the San Juan National Forest. P.O. Topo Maps when possible. San Juan National Forest Headquarters 15 Burnett Court Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-4874. #6 - Molas Lake to Animas River via Molas Trail, Starts at Molas Lake and ends up at Animas River. There are several pullouts along the way to enable folks to stop for a few minutes and click pictures and what fabulous pictures you get!! Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, Forest Service Home | USDA.gov | recreation.gov | Recreation Customer Service Standards | USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov, Plug-Ins | FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Important Notices | Information Quality, https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/sanjuan/recreation/fishing/?recid=42728&actid=42, San Juan National Forest COVID-19 Updates. Highland Mary Lakes is a series of high altitude lakes, tarns and awesome views. Extremely quick climb. Durango, CO 81301 The lake is beautiful and on par with Ice Lake's coloring. 5:57. La forêt nationale de San Juan, en anglais San Juan National Forest, est une forêt nationale américaine située dans le sud-ouest du Colorado.Couvrant 7 603 km 2, cette aire protégée créée le 3 juin 1905 est gérée par le Service des forêts des États-Unis 2011-365-174 House in the Woods (5867084249).jpg 4 752 × 3 168 ; 3,9 Mio. The San Juan National Forest is also a popular spot for fishing and there are many lakes where brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout are abundant, including Hossick, Fourmile, Rock, Flint and Emerald. The Ice Lakes Basin trailhead begins from the dirt parking lot across the road from South Mineral Campground. The hike to Ice Lakes begins from the South Mineral Campground in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado. The San Juan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest covering over 1,878,846 acres (2,935.7 sq mi, or 7,603.42 km²) in western Colorado.The forest occupies land in Archuleta, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, San Miguel and San Juan Counties. The Ice Lakes Basin Trail is located near Silverton, Colorado, within the Columbine Ranger District of San Juan National Forest. At an altitude of 8,250 feet, it is truly a mountain lake, with all the associated wind, weather and cold water that goes with a lake so near peaks of the Rockies. I visited the San Juan National Forest via a car ride between Durango & Silverton and it was as beautiful as it was refreshing despite the cold. Pagosa Ranger District 180 Pagosa Street P.O. 15 Burnett Court This is a high priority area due to the dense population, high recreation use, and important wildlife habitat. Helpful. Alas, no midday espresso either, unless you pack it in: Island Lake is 4.2 miles from the nearest trailhead. Explore the most popular lake trails in San Juan National Forest with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. San Juan National Forest includes Chimney Rock National Monument and elevations that range from 5,000 ft (1,500 m) to over 14,000 ft (4,300 m). The volcanic rock is loose and erodes easily, giving these mountains their jagged, rugged appearance. San Juan National Forest “This spot has the postcard grandeur of the Alps,” says photographer Kennan Harvey. Be prepared to walk slowly or to stop often to catch your breath during the first half of the trail. You can access this lake via snowshoe year round, but there are avalanches in this area, so extreme caution must be used. Other things to do in the San Juan National Forest include scenic drives, water sports, and horseback riding! San Juan National Forest Headquarters It climbs steadily through aspens and pine trees, and traverses under the East Face of Engineer Mountain. The San Juan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest covering over 1,878,846 acres (2,935.7 sq mi, or 7,603.42 km²) in western Colorado. 2 h 56 m Highland Mary Lakes is a series of high altitude lakes, tarns and awesome views. Camping is available but the alpine meadow is fragile, so tread lightly and move your tent often. P.O. Dispersed Camping. These are volcanic mountains, unlike some other Colorado chains. Down hill trail. (970) 264-2268. 2 h 56 m Highland Mary Lakes is a series of high altitude lakes, tarns and awesome views. Plan to spend a few days. 367 Pearl Street These natural forces also pushed valuable minerals, including gold and silver, to the surface, and the San Juans were heavily mined. (970) 247-4874, Columbine Ranger District Use this article as a general guide and compare with Forest Map. The Silverton area boasts a number of great day hikes but none can compete with the sheer scenic beauty of Ice Lake. Emerald Lake in the San Juan National Forest, Colorado’s third-largest natural lake, is a 10-mile trek from the Pine River Trailhead near Vallecito Reservoir. … Read more. Camping in areas that are outside of campgrounds is generally allowed per the regulations listed inside. It has been reported that this area is subject to dramatic changes in the weather. Near the little mountain town of Pagosa Springs, in the San Juan National Forest sits Williams Creek Reservoir, a manmade lake a little over a mile long and a half-mile wide. San Juan National Forest. 6:39 . USDA Forest Service To reach the trailhead from the intersection of Highway 550 and the turnoff to Silverton (Highway 110), drive 2 miles north on Highway 550 to County Road 7, located between mile markers 72 and 73. 2 h 56 m Highland Mary Lakes is a series of high altitude lakes, tarns and awesome views. Highland Mary Lakes Trail (606) Area Status: Open Located in the Weminuche Wilderness, the Highland Mary area is a beautiful, high-altitude, subalpine basin that is, for the most part, free of trees. Fishing: A myriad of rivers, ponds, lakes, and streams fill the San Juan National Forest, giving visitors plenty of perfect fishing spots. Hikers have a plethora of options to choose from in the San Juans, and itineraries are likely to be shaped by realities like your direction of travel, prevailing weather patterns, and snowpack. A reservoir or lake in San Juan National Forest. San Juan National Forest moderate (164) Length: 4.9 mi • Est. Best walking trails in San Juan National Forest, Colorado 2,119 Reviews Explore the most popular walking trails in San Juan National Forest with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. San Juan National Forest moderate (164) Length: 4.9 mi • Est. Description: Ice Lakes Basin is at the headwaters of Mineral Creek outside of Silverton, Colorado. The forest's Weminuche Wilderness is the largest in Colorado at 499,771 acres (202,250 ha). Dolores, CO 81323 https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/colorado/san-juan-national-forest/fishing 180 Pagosa Street Santa Fe: New Mexico Through a stunning array of alpine wildflowers, the Ice Lakes trail winds through old growth forest, sub alpine meadows, and up to alpine tundra. 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